Kieran Trippier opens up on life under Pochettino; eerily similar to Harry Kane’s comments last month

Follow us on Google Discover

Tottenham Hotspur’s Kieran Trippier has commented on his time under Mauricio Pochettino.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Kieran Trippier has told The Mirror that he had to work on his fitness and his body fat under Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Spurs have come on leaps and bounds ever since Pochettino’s arrival from Southampton in 2014, with the Argentinian taking Tottenham from Champions League also-rans to Premier League title contenders.

Tottenham’s style of play has earned huge plaudits, with the pressing style and incredible fitness two major factors of Spurs’ rise under Pochettino’s guidance.

Now, defender Kieran Trippier has lifted the lid on life under Pochettino, having joined Spurs from Burnley back in the summer of 2015.

Trippier has told The Mirror that he thought he was in pretty good shape at Burnley, but when he arrived at Tottenham, he was actually one of the highest-ranking players in terms of body fat.

Trippier added that Pochettino let him know that he wasn’t in the best shape, but he got himself in great condition in the first six months, eventually becoming a key player for Spurs and adapting well to Pochettino’s rigorous fitness regime.

“I thought I was in good shape,” said Trippier. “When I was at Burnley and we got our body fat done, I had a really good percentage. Sean Dyche was happy. I went to Tottenham and I was well high [in body fat] — I think they pinch you tougher at Tottenham, unless it was my all-inclusive holiday in Mexico and the mojitos!”

“It turns out I wasn’t in the best shape when I came to Tottenham and the manager let me know that. He told me that and within six months of getting there I was in great condition. It’s really intense. It’s relentless really, how much stuff we do. The structure is set out perfectly, whether it’s in the gym, running — sometimes double sessions. Every player at Tottenham is in great shape. I used to enjoy myself with my missus and friends but because we are playing Saturday-Tuesday or Wednesday-Sunday, with the intensity we play at, we can’t afford to have a night out,” he added.

Last month, Spurs teammate Harry Kane made similar comments about Pochettino, telling the Daily Mail that he was told of his high body fat percentage when the Tottenham boss arrived, forcing him to work tirelessly to improve his fitness.

With such similar comments from two Spurs players, it’s clear that Pochettino places a huge emphasis on the fitness of his players, and given that it helps them execute their high-pressing style, it seems to be paying dividends for Tottenham.